Both Gerratana and Johnson are from New Britain. Both candidates are accomplished in the political arena. Both are wives of physicians. Both tout accomplishments in health care.

But the two candidates differ strongly on an array of issues. Johnson professes political independence, but Gerratana wants to tie the congresswoman to the party's right wing and President Bush - unpopular labels in a mostly Democratic state.

The new prescription drug benefit added to Medicare is
Johnson's
pride and joy. It also appears to be Gerratana's biggest line of attack against her opponent.

"She's been in Congress 22 years and what does she have to show for it? A piece of legislation that benefits the pharmaceutical companies and not the seniors," Gerratana said. "There's no real cost savings."

Gerratana said her parents and other seniors couldn't find any real savings from the plan, and they found it was too complex to understand, so they did not enroll.

Johnson, reached by phone Wednesday, said it took five years to push the legislation through Congress, and she believes it is making a difference. But she said, as with any new program, it could probably be improved.

"I wouldn't want to simplify it so much that seniors don't have a good choice," Johnson said. "A couple paying $2,000 per month for their prescription called my office and we showed them how they can get one-third off their drug bill."

Gerratana said if she is elected she would ensure drug plans offer real discounts, require the federal government to negotiate with the drug firms for lower prices and allow seniors to buy medicines imported from Canada.

Gerratana visited The News-Times Wednesday morning for her announcement. She also traveled to meet with media organizations and public officials in Torrington, Waterbury, Meriden and New Britain, the major cities in the 5th District.

She criticized Johnson on education, and for voting against enough funding for the No Child Left Behind law.

"The No Child Left Behind legislation is something I would have supported legislatively because I believe in holding schools accountable," Gerratana said. "But it was implemented with no funding. That really jeopardizes the future of how effectively education is delivered to the state and everywhere else."

Johnson said again any new program could be improved, including the education reform program supported by the entire Connecticut delegation in Congress including Democratic Sens.
Christopher Dodd
and
Joe Lieberman
.

Johnson said school funding has increased nationally, including in Connecticut. School officials, though, have not always thought it was enough to keep pace with new standards.

She said the most tweaking in the new law would come in defining how to judge a successful or failing school.

"It does need adjusting, particularly for states like Connecticut that are already ahead in education," Johnson said.

Marconi announced Monday he was dropping out of the race. Marconi, a virtual unknown in Connecticut politics, said he always intended to drop out if the
Democrats
found a stronger candidate. He entered the race because no other candidate challenged Johnson.

While in the state
House of Representatives
, Gerretana focused on issues similar to that of Johnson in Congress, as both were major advocates of new health care policies.

Johnson welcomed her new opponent to the race.

"It's unfortunate for a candidate to step out of the race this late in the campaign," Johnson said. "I'm pleased Terry stepped in. It's important in a democracy to have competition from both parties."

Gerratana said her late entry into the race would not hurt her chances.

"I can win this race because her values are in lock step with the right wing of the
Republican Party
," Gerratana said. "She is very much to the right of the 5th District voters. When she was elected in 1982, my son was born. Now my son is 22. You have to take into consideration there are a lot of new voters in the district."